Barbara (and anyone else interested), If you did not read the last Missing Links, I am fairly sure it answeres your question about what this guardianship bond is (as per Mattie's death date). If you deleted you Missing Links copy (or deleted it) you can grab it at: http://www.petuniapress.com/ml/20020603.txt It is the first article called "THE HIDDEN CLUES IN GUARDIANSHIP BONDS" by Richard A. Pence. I had suspected that it had to do with your Mattie's death - I think his article explains how that all works. Basically, the Bond was posted to ensure that your Martha got a share of her mother's estate. Never say never. :) - Mike > > > Thanks for the translation. Now that I know the words, I can see them. > > I agree that the date is 1853 not 1833. > > I still don't understand what the real situation was - and probably never > will. The mother Martha (Mattie) died in 1852. The father Edmond was > definately still alive in 1853 - I have him on an 1860 Census. And Martha > Ann the daughter was married and living in Missouri in 1853. On 1850 Census > she was in Iowa with husband and son. A second son was born in Missouri > about 1851-1852. > > Unless Martha went back to Indiana to bail her dad out! But wouldn't her > married name be used? Plus there were other children. Why not bond them? > > Guess we'll never know. > > Barbara Hardwick Collier > >